Archive · 2 Sep 2026
Expert Questions Whether GLP-1 Drugs Are Creating New Diet Culture
GLP-1 medicines are changing how people talk about losing weight.
In the past, conversations often focused on diets, exercise and counting calories.
These medicines make weight loss part of medical treatment.
They are also becoming more visible in popular culture.
Katie Baker Jones wanted to know whether this could create a new kind of diet culture.
She studied how the medicines connect to body image and celebrity culture.
She also looked at changing ideas about beauty.
Her research examined fashion media’s coverage of the “Ozempic Era.”
The study was published in Media, Culture & Society.
GLP-1 medications have changed public conversations about weight loss and medical intervention.
Their growing visibility has raised questions about whether body alteration is becoming increasingly expected.
Katie Baker Jones of West Virginia University examined GLP-1s, body image and celebrity culture.
Her research studied how fashion media has discussed the so-called “Ozempic Era.”
The research was published in Media, Culture & Society.
- Who
- Katie Baker Jones, an associate professor and program coordinator at West Virginia University, examined the issue.
- What
- Her research considers whether GLP-1 medications are creating a new form of diet culture tied to body image, celebrity culture and beauty ideals.
- Where
- The research was conducted in the United States and through an examination of fashion media.
- Why
- To study how the rise of GLP-1 medications may be changing expectations about bodies and beauty.
- Researcher
- Katie Baker Jones
- Institution
- West Virginia University
- Medications studied
- GLP-1 medications
- Media focus
- Fashion media
- Cultural term
- The “Ozempic Era”
- Research themes
- Body image, celebrity culture and changing beauty ideals
- Publication
- Media, Culture & Society